Ep. 107: Behind the Scenes of Ghostwriting with Barbara Feinman Todd (Author of Pretend I’m Not Here)

<p><strong>In Episode 107, Barbara Feinman Todd (author of <a href= "https://amzn.to/3CL5Ptj">Pretend I’m Not Here</a>) takes me behind the scenes of ghostwriting after a career of writing for many top names in Washington, DC.  Barbara is wonderfully candid and we have a fascinating discussion all about the nuts and bolts of ghostwriting, and the emotional and personal side of the business.</strong></p> <p><span id="more-6001244"></span></p> <p><em>This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).</em></p> <h2><strong>Highlights</strong></h2> <ul> <li>How Barbara’s ghostwriting career began</li> <li>Nothing is typical when it comes to ghostwriting including the services offered</li> <li>The reasons people might need a ghostwriter</li> <li>The surprising distinction between <em>author</em> and <em>writer</em>.</li> <li>We discuss confidentiality agreements and the vetting process</li> <li>How ghostwriters get paid</li> <li>Who has veto power and control of the information</li> <li>The allure of the job and protecting your own legacy</li> <li>The struggle with the moralities and ethics of ghostwriting </li> <li>How Barbara handled balancing the work with the intimate access to other people’s lives</li> <li>Figuring out the perspective and angle for writing about the subject</li> <li>A surprising person who requested her ghostwriting services</li> <li>What Barbara is currently working on (it’s fiction!)</li> <li>Her ongoing nonfiction project that started with a diary from 1872</li> </ul> <h2><strong>Barbara’s Book Recommendations</strong> <a class= "spp-timestamp">[29:43]</a></h2> <p><strong>Two OLD Books She Loves</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong><a href="https://amzn.to/3qcNFLL">Henry and Clara</a> by Thomas Mallon</strong> | <a href= "https://amzn.to/3qcNFLL">Amazon</a> | <a href= "https://bookshop.org/a/24569/9780345804761">Bookshop.org</a><img src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sarsbooshe04-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B01BD1SSO4" alt="" width="